Homeowners and businesses are increasingly choosing energy-efficient smart LED lights over regular bulbs, but how do you discard them once they’re done?
Smart lights are light emitting diode (LED) bulbs typically controlled by a smartphone app, which can remotely switch them on and off, adjust the brightness and other handy actions.
These lights have become a popular option in homes and workplaces, as part of the Internet of Things (IoT) wave to link everyday devices to the internet and each other.
LEDs are more energy efficient than fluorescent, halogen and incandescent bulbs because they produce the most amount of light using the least electricity.
For example, LEDs use about 75% less energy than halogen bulbs and typically last five to 10 times longer.
While LEDs are known for having a longer lifespan, they don’t last forever.
So, when they do reach the end of their useful life, there are a few different ways to dispose of them.
Tips for recycling your lights
LEDs can be disposed of into the rubbish bin, however it’s a waste of non-renewable materials.
You can check with your council to see if they recycle LEDs and where your closest collection point is.
Otherwise you can visit RecyclingNearYou to see if there are alternative collection points available.
Keep in mind that lighting of any kind cannot go into your household recycling bin — if you can’t recycle it, then place it into your general waste bin.
Additionally, any type of broken bulbs should be wrapped up and placed in your landfill bill.
Why should you recycle smart lights?
Recycling smart bulbs and other lighting is environmentally responsible for a number of reasons.
While LEDs do not contain mercury like fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lamps, at least one study has found that some LEDs contain lead and other potentially dangerous substances.
Recycling prevents used bulbs from ending up in landfill, where they can contaminate the environment with potentially harmful materials.
It also recovers non-renewable materials from used goods and puts them back to work in new products and devices at a fraction of the energy needed to mine and process new natural resources.
How can businesses recycle smart lights?
If you are a small business with only a few bulbs to recycle, then you can likely use the options available to households.
However, organisations with commercial-scale lighting waste should look at recycling services offered by Ecocycle.
As Australia’s largest lighting and mercury recycler, Ecocycle can provide a tailored recycling service from the supply and pick-up of collection boxes to the provision of recycling certificates to workplaces across the country.
To find out more about our lighting waste services, fill out the form below or give us a call on 1300 32 62 92.
